Destined to Fall

By: Louisa Mae

Narrated by: Dan Calley

There are parts of our lives which are predestined, and no matter how hard we try, we can’t change what will happen - what must happen. Andrew Manners understood that better than most, but it didn’t change how he felt about his past or his desire to change it.

Even angels have regrets, and after living two mortal lifetimes in his angelic form, and with countless other years ahead, he would give it all up to be with the man he’d loved and lost for just one short lifetime together.

“Everything has a price. Every journey has an end.”

The price Andrew paid when his journey ended was immortality. A gift, some would say. A curse, others would whisper.

He’s walked the earth for almost 100 years, putting aside all selfish needs while caring and offering comfort to others. When he finds a dying man on the streets of London, he’s unprepared for how it will change his life.

“I never knew how my life could change in such a short space of time, or how one decision would affect the outcome in such a monumental way.”

Josh is inconsolable after losing his partner, and as Andrew guides the grief stricken man through his pain, he’s forced to recall his own mortal life and the lover he left behind. Looking back allows him to see what he could find with Josh, but such a strong bond shouldn’t exist between a mortal and an angel, and Andrew struggles with the demands of his angelic duties and what his heart needs.

“I found out it was possible to love, and be loved in return, only to face losing it all.”

Knowing a relationship can only bring them both heartache, and unable to explain his angelic form, Andrew believes he will spend an eternity mourning what could have been.

“The true measure of love is what you’re willing to give up for it.”

With the terrifying prospect of living forever without the man he loves weighing heavily on his soul, Andrew seeks out a different path, one which could lead him into the hands of the demonic creatures which now hide in the shadows around him, or lead him into the arms of his soulmate. The risks are great. Andrew’s very soul is in danger. But what good is a soul without its mate?Falling in love was easy. Falling for love would be the hard part.

©2017 Louisa Mae (P)2020 Louisa Mae

Beautiful

What can I say about this book, but beautifully written and a sexy narration. Short, sweet and a love story.

Stunning

Audiobook Review by Mel
5 Blue Roses
3.5 to 4 Blue Flames

Narrator Dan Calley gave a rapturous delightful performance that will make listeners swoon from extreme emotional overpowering. He highlighted the beauty within the intense deep emotions of love and exaltation between lovers. He captured the state of slow built-up and intense feelings causing a frenzy of poetic inspiration causing rapture from the contemplation of divine things.

Andrew, an angel witnesses a vicious attack influenced by a dark and evil force. He consoles the victim and promises to find his partner; Josh to comfort him.

These lovers’ chemistry is amazingly beautiful and intense. Kudo’s to the author for stunning round character development with complex and multifaceted and dynamic characters. I chewed my nails while I waited for the sky to fall, the fucking hammer to drop, only to leave me standing on the threshold with a smile on my face.

It’s a heartwarming tale about an angel discovering who he is, how he died and became an angel. Secrets are revealed about the elder angels which testified about the complex tapestry woven between a human, his angel, and the heavenly politics involved.

I absolutely recommend this audiobook. I liked it so much, I’m choosing it as my audiobook of the month. This means Johnny and Master Bo will have their comic review as well.

Happy Listening

A good ugly cry that’ll make you happy

I wasn’t expecting this book. I don’t read synopses – I like to go in blind. If I had read it, I might have been able to anticipate the pain.

That being said – you have to read this book. You may not cry. You may not be moved the way I was. You may be stoic and yet still able to appreciate the emotion. Whomever you are and however you deal with grief, this is a book you can enjoy.

Andrew is an angel. He ‘died’ years ago and has walked the earth since, helping others deal with their grief. He comes upon a man who’s been stabbed. A man whose dying wish is that Andrew take care of his boyfriend. Andrew has scruples, and tries to evade making the promise but, in the end, relents. Then he meets Joshua and as the man deals with unfathomable grief, Andrew is there.

In some ways this is a very simple romance and in others it’s not. See Andrew wasn’t supposed to make that promise. He shouldn’t be taking care of Joshua. He certainly shouldn’t be falling in love. When he’s called away to another ‘job’, he leaves a confused Joshua in his wake. Joshua who is only beginning to reconcile the death of his lover with the attraction he has for this new man.

(on a side note there is a small niggling issue with dates – Andrew died about 100 years ago around age twenty yet he meets someone he used to know – making them 120…just a small thing and maybe I’m wrong but it did niggle)

Andrew isn’t prepared for the emotional toll the ‘job’ will take of him, but he dutifully executes his responsibilities. When he’s done, he challenges the higher ups that he wants to go back to Joshua and make a life. Apparently that’s not an option. He’s presented with two rather unpalatable ones, yet he still returns to Joshua, knowing their time together might be limited. He vows to make the most of it, but, in the end, Andrew is forced to reveal his true self. Needless to say, Joshua is flummoxed. I think I would be as well. I mean an angel on earth? With wings?

I wanted the men to get their happy ending, but I sure wasn’t convinced it was going to happen. Spoiler alert: they do. The story reminded me greatly of the 1990’s movie City of Angels with Nicholas Cage and Meg Ryan. That had a decidedly unhappy ending that I didn’t see coming. Rest assured, although there are similarities, the ending is not one of them.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. Yes, I sobbed. I’m a sap after all. Yes, I was moved. It was easy to remember people I’ve loved and lost. Yes, I’m tearing up now, even a week later. Because the book was just that powerful.

Narrated by Dan Calley, the book is perfect. Mr. Calley’s voice is resonant and he differentiates the voices well. I also like his interpretations of Sage and Lucian. So please add this book to your listening list. I promise it’s worth it.

Magnificent

Often destiny is predetermined and unknowingly influences the decisions and choices we make. Even angels aren’t always immune to the resulting consequences. Destined to Fall, by Louisa Mae, entwines destiny, choices and consequences into an angelic love story of loss, love and a confirmation that everything happens for a reason.

After a tragic death, Andrew Manners is reborn as a guardian angel who is earthbound with a physical form. To everyone around him, he appears human. His empathy and caring personality ensure his destiny as a guardian angel, put on earth to provide comfort for those facing distressing situations, times of uncertainty, overwhelming grief and even their own death.

Human Andrew hid his feelings for men, but in his angelic state sex, race, religion aren’t even a consideration. Love is love, and all that matters is what is in your heart. Andrew’s experience with love and loss heightens his compassion for mankind and his charges. This compassion is ultimately his undoing, or maybe it’s his salvation, changing his existence forever.

Andrew’s tale began a long time ago with the loss of his first love, Barrington. But it’s the course of events which lead him to find Simon, a young man struggling from a vicious attack, that unravels his past and solidifies his destiny. Andrew is very aware that Simon’s time has come. His instinct to heal and provide comfort surface and he agrees to convey a message of love and to look after Simon’s boyfriend Josh, at Simon’s last request.

Separate tragedies bring Andrew and Josh together. The guilt Andrew carries for most of his angelic life and the devastation that haunts Josh is extremely heart wrenching. Their individual struggles with the pull between them are painful to read, though the soul-deep attraction and affection they share is absolutely their destiny.

Dan Calley tackles Destined to Fall head on, with a force that transports you into the moment. His narration brings to life the emotional struggle and the pull between Andrew and Josh, along with the anguish resonating from the beautiful souls of Simon and Barrington, as they accept their destiny. His sultry lilt and commanding presence deliver the full impact of feelings which resonate in Destined to Fall.

From beginning to end, Destined to Fall is purely magnificent! There is so much depth behind these men’s journey, covering good versus evil, past and present love, deception and grief. But it all interlaces together, creating a captivating cacophony of swirling emotions in the best possible way. Under it all, hope emerges, illuminating Andrew and Josh’s destiny.

Loved this!

I absolutely loved this sweet opposites attract contemporary romance.

The characters were likeable, relatable and engaging.

The storyline was compelling and the writing style appealed to me.

Dan Calley performed an amazing audio delivery and narration

Definitely recommend this one

Wonderful Story & Narration🎧 Gripping & Heartfelt!

This is an awesome book, it grabbed my attention right from the start and held it straight to the end. It is my first book written by Louisa Mae and it will not be my last, I enjoyed her writing style and the fascinating and imaginative storylines and characters she created. The characters are complex and nicely developed, they are realistic, yes even the heavenly ones, easy to relate to and connect with. Andrew Manners has been on the earth for decades, he lost his life trying to save, Barrington, his friend and lover from drowning only to drown himself. The angels gave him immortality and had him stay earth bound as a guardian angel, they continue to give him his assignments. He enjoyed his job, he liked helping people deal with grief, it helped him in his own grief and guilt for not being able to say Barrington, the love of his life. One night he comes across a victim of a vicious beating, Simon was in bad shape, Andrew comforted him and Simon wanted him to to stay with him and to be there for his partner Josh. Simon passes from his injuries leaving Andrew with a heartbroken Josh and staying true to his word to Simon he comforts Josh. The two really click, the chemistry between them was undeniable and Andrew wants to be there for him but there are complications, one being he is an angel in human form, the other being he is forbidden from telling anyone what he really is. But the two could not deny each other. I loved how everything plays out in this book, including when Andrew’s former life collides with his Angelic life and how he reflects back to that time and gives us an inside glimpse of it. The Angelic hierarchy are not happy with Andrew and he is given ultimatums. This book is cleverly plotted and there is never a dull moment, there is plenty of drama, some angst, twists and turns, some thrilling suspense, lot of heartfelt and emotional moments, heart-wrenching ones and some hot romance. Lousia Mae, thank you for this wonderful story and the emotional rollercoaster ride.

Dan Calley is a fabulous narrator and voice artist. He brings these characters to life, gives each their own voice and personality and humanizes them with emotions. His portrayal of the characters is spot on, sounding just as I picture them to sound. He is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this wonderful listen🎧

Thank you #BlueRose #BlueRoseReview

heart-wrenchingly beautiful

Oh gosh. What can I say about Andrew and Josh's story? Sigh. I started crying at the beginning when Andrew died... yes I can tell you this without it being a spoiler as it made clear he is an angel. Then again I cried when Andrew couldn't save Simon.. again yes I can say that as that brings us t how he meets Josh, Simon's partner. Now comes stuff I cannot tell you and several twists that keep you on the edge of your seat, another sad part, yet sort of happy too. Then more twists and decisions for Andrew. The romance is beautiful, the story angsty but beautiful and the ending glorious. Then a little something that left me wanting Sages story lol.

I loved Dan Calley's narration. His voice is a dream to listen to and he tells the story so well and you never feel like your just being read to. He does the excitement and sex scens very well and i highly recomend you get the audio as it just adds more to the already amazing book.